Slain Ridgewood Native Remembered By Family

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — A Ridgewood native was remembered as a "caring and loving mother" by her family in the days following her death.

Christie Solaro-Formisano, 37, was killed July 14 when police said her estranged husband, Newark police Lt. John Formisano, shot her several times.

Solaro-Formisano's family said in her obituary that the couple's two children, Rachael and Ryan, were her "whole world."

"Whether it was Girl Scouts, dancing recitals, swim meets or numerous other activities she was always by her children's side loving and supporting them," the obituary read. "Her home was the place to be on holidays, and she will be forever loved and sorely missed by all of her family and friends."

Solaro-Formisano was born in Ridgewood and lived in Garfield before moving to Jefferson Township in 2010. She was a graduate of William Paterson University.

Children were her life as a former behavior specialist at the Morris School District. She "dedicated her life to being around them," her family said.

More than $29,000 had been donated to her children on a GoFundMe page created by Miko Velez, a retired police officer who worked with Formisano.

"Rachel and Ryan are wonderful children who are blessed to have a strong network of family and friends to help care for them. Everyone is doing all they can do for the children's transition to this new life considering the circumstances," Velez said on the GoFundMe page. "These children have a rough road ahead. We are raising money to help offset the costs of relocating the children, setting up their new living situation, and providing a financial foundation for their future needs."

The fundraiser grew out of an oath Velez made with Formisano.

"John is the brother I never had, and by extension, Christie, was a sister-in-law to me. In that same vein, Rachel and Ryan are my niece and nephew," Velez said. "Johnny and I made a promise to each other more than 20 years ago that should anything happen to us, the other would take care of the family. I am fulfilling that oath."

The money will help defray the cost of relocating the kids, setting them up in a new home, and providing a "financial foundation" for their future needs, Velez said.

"These children have a rough road ahead," Velez said. "We are raising money to help offset the costs of relocating the children, setting up their new living situation, and providing a financial foundation for their future needs."

A funeral Mass for Solaro-Formisano was Sunday. She was interred at George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery in Paramus.

In addition to her children, Solaro-Formisano is survived by her parents; Debbie Wagner and Mark Solaro; brothers Michael and his wife, Alicja, and Steven and his wife, Susan; mother-in-law Carol Formisano; nieces, Allison, Emily, and Lily; nephew, Henrik; step-father Dale Wagner; and many cousins and friends. Her father-in-law John Formisano Sr. predeceased her.

Related:

• Support For Family After NJ Cop's Alleged Murder Of Wife (UPDATE)
• 'Forever Loved': Slain Jefferson Woman Remembered By Family

— With reporting by Katie Kausch, Patch staff

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com